By Yun Ho Lee
Since the early 20th century, interventionism has become a cornerstone of American diplomatic strategy. This practice is most seen in U.S relations with nations across The Middle East, notably in the form of military action in countries like Iraq, Yemen, and Afghanistan. However, under the Obama Administration the U.S. began a notable shift in policy, dubbed the ‘Pivot to Asia’. This new strategy is centered around reallocating some of America’s military and political attention from the Middle East to Asia. However, the last few decades have given rise to an increasingly aggressive Iran, with ongoing threats and recent acts of aggression raising tensions between and its regional allies. More recently, tense relations have arisen not only with Iran but also with Saudi Arabia, the closest ally in the Middle East. Both Iran and Saudi Arabia are vital regional actors in the Middle East. These tensions showcase that American influence in the Middle East is declining, which indicates that U.S. intervention in the region has been unsuccessful. Additionally, China’s growing intervention in the Middle East is challenging America’s role in the Middle East. Some argue that the United States should step back from the Middle East and wind up their role in the region. In the following paragraphs, historical issues and current situations in the Middle East are throwing one option that the United States should carry out, rebalancing the Middle East. The key targets should be Iran and Saudi Arabia. Why are they essential? How to rebalance the Middle East order?
In order to answer the questions, the history of U.S.-Iran relations should be coming to the forefront. The U.S. sent troops and provided economic support to Iran, due to Soviet and British Invasion in 1941, with Iran regarding the U.S. as “a beneficent friend.” The coup by Iranian nationalist was carried out in 1979, which removed the Shah’s regime and became antagonistic to U.S. involvement. Further support to Israel by the United States was also opposed by Iran, who publicly supported Palestine. Unfortunately, the revelation of the Iranian nuclear program in 2002 became an added source of tension between the two countries. Under the Obama Administration, a direct deal was agreed between the United States and Iran. Subsequently, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) was agreed by the UN security council and the European Union. However, the turbulence between the United States and Iran continues, with the Iran-backed Palestine militant group Hamas against Israel in October 2023 and the responding actions by the United States adding to the tensions. With OPEC (The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) heavily influencing the global economy by setting the price of Middle Eastern oil, ensuring a peaceful Middle East would be highly beneficial for the United States. A relatively peaceful Middle East would result in a more stable and less volatile price of oil, which is vital to U.S. allies. Therefore, Iran issues are imminent issues that the U.S. must figure out. Despite the involvement of the U.S., not all Middle Eastern conflicts will be resolved for a peaceful order and national interests.
The relationship between the United States and Saudi Arabia has come under a deadlock for several years. The first crisis emerged due to the 1973 Arab Israeli war. Oil embargo was imposed by Saudi Arabia and OPEC against the United States in retaliation for the U.S. decision to resupply the Israeli military and to gain leverage in the post-war peace negotiations. The second crisis was on Sep 11, 2001, in which 15 Saudis were involved in the terrorist attacks. Nonetheless, common geopolitical and economic interests were enough to persist to have a great relationship between the two countries. Nowadays, they have different priorities. It is relevant to consider how to deal with Iran’s growing power. For the U.S., cooperation with Iran was essential while also restricting the development of nuclear weapons. However, Saudi Arabia grappled with rolling back Iranian influence over the region. But the JCPOA with Iran led them to rethink their relationship with the U.S. In fact, Saudi Arabia has wanted the United States to hold the stability of domestic and regional order around them. But the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 was opposed by Saudi Arabia. Today, Under Mohammed bin Salman, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia, Saudi Arabia continues to pursue a range of assistance from the cooperation with the United States, but sees these as compatible with enhanced diplomatic, economic, and security ties with China, Russia, and a range of other powers. Saudi Arabia is the biggest oil producer in the Middle East, and they are the top nation which has regional hegemonic influence power in the region. This is the reason why Saudi Arabia is important. Strategic assessments are required for the United States, not only for the US itself, but also for long-standing allies.
The Middle East is recognized as a bridge between Europe, Asia, and Africa and a crucial crossroads of the global economy beyond energy production. Indeed, the Middle East has become an economic hub, serving as an important transit point for people and cargo moving by air and sea. It is now, especially, becoming the area of geopolitical competition with China and Russia. However, the Middle East is full of disarray due to religion, national interests, historical issues and so on. Under this circumstance, countries in the Middle East need the United States’ active engagement to figure out. In particular, as Iran and Saudi Arabia are the “Troublemaker” and “Rising Power” in the region, it is significant for the U.S. to treat them strategically. The United States should contain Iran, and not soften the sanctions toward them. Iran was called one of the “Axis of Evil”, however, under Obama administration, the appeasement policies were implemented to Iranian. Unfortunately, it has not been successful. Iran's Containment Policy would be a great strategy for the United States. But it is necessary to engage with Iran through U.S. diplomacy. One of Teheran’s most potent threats to regional stability and security stems from its support of militant groups across the Middle East. A diplomatic agreement to curtail Iranian support for them should be materialized. Still, the biggest Iran issue is nuclear weapons development. The United States and related states should seek for a viable agreement with Iran. In the case of Saudi Arabia, the United States does not have sufficient power to persuade Saudi Arabia’s actions. The ongoing two big wars have elevated Saudi Arabia’s position more than any other time. Additionally, China’s Middle East intervention stripped the United States’ leadership over Saudi Arabia. The US engagement for the past few decades had been intensively continued in the Middle East. But US power, these days, is not knowledgeable to Saudi Arabia. Rising China and Saudi’ alternation in national policy keynote had the United States make a breakthrough to overturn these situations. To do so, working with international institutions on a coordinated economic response would help improve the relationship with Saudi Arabia. Diplomatic Assessment in the Middle East should be coherent and trenchant.
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